Charles “Chuck” S. Olton ’60, P’88, ’91

Charles “Chuck” S. Olton ’60, P’88, ’91 passed away on January 12, 2026. His obituary follows:

April 9, 1938 – January 12, 2026

Charles “Chuck” Olton (Wesleyan Class of 1960, former member of the Board of Trustees of Wesleyan and parent of Matthew (Class of 1988) and Gretta (Class of 1991) passed away on January 12, 2026 at age 87.  He was a devoted advocate of education and the arts, as well as an avid sailor and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

Chuck was the dean of Parsons School of Design from 1989 to 1997 and the president and chief executive officer of the League of American Orchestras until his retirement in 2003. Prior to Parsons, he served as the longtime dean of Academic Affairs at Barnard College and had leadership roles at the State University of New York at Buffalo and at Union College. He received PhD and MA degrees from the University of California at Berkeley and a BA degree from Wesleyan University.

A longtime recognized leader of academic institutions, Chuck’s crowning professional achievement came with the League of American Orchestras, where he paired his particular and enthusiastic passion for classical music with his ability to build and lead fiscally strong and growing organizations focused on arts and education.

Following retirement, Chuck spent countless hours making and painting elaborate wood block art with his grandchildren on Shelter Island, trying to perfect the art of baking sourdough bread, and sailing with his beloved wife Barbara and golden retriever Poppy in and around Shelter Island and Gardiner’s Bay.  

Chuck is survived by Barbara, his loving wife of 64 years, his daughter Gretta, her husband, Michael, and their children Sophie and Katie, and his son Matthew, his wife, Laura, and their children, Madeline and Jack, as well as his sister, Tina, and many nieces and nephews.

He will be remembered for his fierce intellect, wit, love of family and friends, and unwavering sense of decency and morality.